How High Should I Need to Score on the SAT to Still Look Impressive?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
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<p>Hey people, I'm new to this website- found it today while I was trying to find more resources for SAT study and I was really happy I found it because it is a pretty nice resource. I'm now searching out a couple of the books recommended on here... I already have a BB2 and the Princeton Review 2011 edition so I'm basically completely lacking aside from practice tests in the BB since I've already nitpicked what I wanted out of the PR book.</p>

<p>Anyway, I'm going to be a senior in high school next year, and the whole "Crap, I want to go to an Ivy League college" thing hit me and so this summer is really like... Crack down time for me. I took the SAT back in December and utterly failed with a 1940 with barely any practice, and until summer hit I did absolutely nothing about the SAT thinking I could prepare myself over the summer and take it again in October. My PSAT score was a 2040, and basically every practice test I've taken since December is just under the 2100 mark... And I'm taking another one (practice test) tomorrow. Basically my original plan was to get some quick studying in, which I did, mostly through PR's Hit Parade, which is a part of my brain now, and some other random things lying around the internet. Obviously it's not enough - while I know I'll see score improvements because I'm arduously studying my tests after I take them, I'm not seeing the rises that I need to see to kill the SAT this soon.</p>

<p>I know I waited forever to deal with the SAT, and yes, shame on me, I should have been doing stuff way earlier than this (thank God I have good extracurricular... I think) but I have three questions, and I need them answered so I can get back on the speedtrack with this whole study-like-mad thing.</p>

<p>First, what would be the ideal score for someone like me? I really want my SAT scores to look good, but I'm not going to torture myself over a 2400 if it's simply not possible. I don't mind studying... I'll do what it takes, but at the same time, I have other things to concentrate on too. I can't breathe the SAT like I want to and maintain involvement everywhere else. However, I also am capable of doing whatever I need to. I don't really doubt that - I'm "smart" enough that I can do what's needed. Somehow.</p>

<p>Second, what resources should I be utilizing the most? I've done some research and I think I know what I need, but I want to make absolutely sure I know what to buy before I buy stuff.</p>

<p>And finally, what is the latest suggested time that I submit my scores to a college? I plan to teach myself Spanish sometime soon for some plusses in the subject test dept., I plan to deal with the 3rd + subject test(s) after I've done Spanish and the SAT itself, but I need to know how much time I really have.</p>

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<p>Also if you'd like to concern yourself with my specific strengths or weaknesses in the SAT...</p>

<p>Writing: My essay on the SAT in Dec. was an 8, but I feel really confident that my writing skills have increased dramatically after taking a dual enrollment (btw, does anyone else do this? No one ever mentions dual enrollment on here) writing course with a really good teacher who really brought the best out in me. So my essays are fine. I think I could definitely score a 10-12 in the essay department. My writing MC suffers a lot though due to my lack of knowledge about idioms and the occasional idiot mistake, along with a lack of ability to identify certain things that I haven't specifically identified at the moment. Other than that, writing is easily my best section and I can score 700+ <em>almost</em> every time.</p>

<p>Math: Everyone says this is the easiest section to improve and that makes perfect sense considering it's the most straightforward. My math score usually falls just below 700 from a combination of lack of time for difficult questions and stupid mistakes on easier ones. From what I can tell, more practice and a stronger strategy will cure this and skyrocket my math score.</p>

<p>CR: Sits at around 690. I do well on the sentence completions, usually somewhere between 18 to 19 correct, but I do plan to increase my vocab more anyway. For the passage-based questions, I really suffer because my PoE skills just aren't cutting it. I often get down to one or two answers and then pick the wrong one...</p>

<p>I admire you if you read this whole thing... Above is my SAT life story. Thanks for any help in advance.</p>

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<p>I could really use alot of tips from you as to how you prep for each section. I too am going to be a senior in the fall, and the latest I’d say for majority of colleges to submit SAT scores would be november when most deadlines are. So after the october SAT, when you get your scores…SUBMIT SUBMIT!! </p>

<p>Also, I wouldnt advise using the Princeton Review, it’s very inaccurate for the SATs. I scored a 1950 in my PR, and did very well on MC practice questions, but i didnt do that hot on the SATs. Use the BB for practice tests, only. I would burn the PR book lol. Barron’s 2400 is very good.</p>

<p>Your score “to look impressive” depends where you are applying, a 1940 is a very good score, coming from someone who’s scored just below 1700 (retaking in oct). </p>

<p>If you’re trying to go to an Ivy, then yeah you’ll need a 2100 > just to fit into the crowd. If you want to stand out, then a 2300> is what you’d want. But remember, Extra Curriculars are a huge huge part too. If you’re applying to Princeton and you have a 2300, but so does everyone else who applied, and then it turns out only one of them plays a violin and it just so happens, Princeton needs a violinist, they’ll 95% likely let the violinist in. That’s why for Ivys, you need very strong ECs as well as SATs. For Ivy leagues, i’d say its 49% SATs (since everyone has the same scores basically), and 51% ECs (since that is what makes you stand out from the rest).</p>

<p>Hope it somewhat helped.</p>

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<p>Thanks, yeah, some of that I did already know but other bits did help.</p>

<p>Tbh a 1940 was like, my starting score, and I would even call that on my low range, so maybe I’m just one of those lucky people who don’t face as much of a challenge with the SAT like a lot of others do. But if I can help let me know, I definitely don’t mind though I have no clue what to tell you haha.</p>

<p>I’m definitely gonna grab Barron’s 2400, that was on my list, as well as Direct Hits 1 and 2 and Gruber’s I think too. My reasoning in hanging on to the PR book is that I know I’ll run out of BB tests eventually. I need as much practice as possible and while I know the questions aren’t perfect they must be doing something right for people who take 50+ practice tests and get >2300 on SAT day.</p>

<p>Also I have a friend who scored a 2360 on the SAT and surprisingly she said that after talking to a Josh Hodkins (I have no idea where or what college that is) counselor that a 2400 can actually look bad on a transcript because it usually means that a ridiculous amount of effort was put into reaching that score and effort was negligible elsewhere, i.e. EC. The Hodkins counselor said he tosses 2400’s. But yes, the range you gave me was about what I was thinking, my goal is really to hit >2250. Higher would be nice but like you said scores aren’t everything.</p>

<p>Also, would Direct Hits be hard to use on my phone? Rather than buying them off Amazon for $11-13, I was going to download them to my phone, but would this make studying impossible? Btw my library sucks and carries neither of the books.</p>

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<p>Johns Hopkins you mean?</p>

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<p>new meme</p>

<p>“josh hodkins” LOL</p>

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<p>^Lol yes Johns Hopkins. I have no clue who/what that is. <em>Does a Google search.</em> Oh, it’s a university.</p>

<p>Yes, I am that college illiterate. Like, I can name quite a few colleges but don’t expect any relevant information from me.</p>

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<p>josh hodkins hahahaah</p>

<p>I just had to post this :D</p>